For a long time I resisted joining a warehouse store. What was the point of driving twenty minutes to get a few bargains? Finally, at the urging of my children who tasted Costco goodies at the homes of friends, I relented. Now, after two years of occasional shopping, I can attest that there are some wonderful and tasty bargains at the big box stores. I've misplaced my receipt, so some of the following prices may be off, but I promise, they are bargains.Carolina's top ten list of tasty Costco Bargains.
1) Buffalo Mozzarella - when I first started buying this it was $9.99 for a container of six balls. The price is now up to $13.99, but this is still a bargain. Be warned - fresh mozzarella has a relatively short shelf life, so be prepared to consume this quickly.
2) Mini, multi-colored sweet peppers. I occasionally see small packages of these peppers at Trader Joes at a much higher cost. Two pounds of these incredibly sweet and cute peppers will only set you back $6.99. Spray lightly with olive oil then toss on the grill for a few minutes.
3) Romaine Lettuce - sold in five packs for $3.99, my biggest challenge is fitting the package into my refrigerator. As an alternative to a tossed or Caesar salad, try cutting the heads in half lengthwise, spraying lightly with olive oil, then quickly grilling (cut side down). Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top, add a little grated Parmesan cheese and capers for an easy change from salad.
4) Curly's Baby Back Ribs - Though I love to grill, I've never had much success with "barbecue." We usually go to a local smokehouse. That is until I discovered these pre-cooked ribs. My local supermarket does not carry this brand, and I've been very disappointed in the brands that were available. Curly's ribs are very, very meaty. My teenage son, who typically polishes off an entire rack when we go out, rarely manages more than two-thirds of a Curly's rack. The leftovers don't last long. We cut the meat off the ribs, warm it quickly in the microwave, then throw it on a bun for a riblet sandwich. These racks are found in the refrigerator section for $14.99. They freeze well as packaged.
5) Fresh Berries - the bargains are seasonal, but large clam shells of raspberries, strawberries and blueberries are usually half the price of your local supermarket.
6) Frozen Ahi Tuna - fresh tuna at my supermarket is typically $18 to $20 per pound. Costco sells 3 pound bags of sashimi grade tuna. Each piece of tuna is flash frozen and individually vacuum packed. A bag typically contains six to eight pieces. Price: $17 to $18 per bag. I've had great success with these tuna steaks both on the grill and in the fry pan.
7) Nestle's chocolate chips. Well, depending on how much you like to bake these 4.5 pound bags may not be the best use of your storage space, but they are a bargain. They also have a ziploc seal to make them easier to use. If you get tired of chocolate chip cookies, these chips are also great for making chocolate dipped strawberries or a chocolate fondue.
8) Fresh Veal Loin Chops - Veal is so expensive, and my local Whole Foods rarely has these loin chops. The same cut as a porterhouse or T-bone steak, at $10.99 a pound these chops are a great treat. A little kosher salt and a few minutes on the grill makes me feel like I'm at a top notch steak house. Crimini mushrooms sauteed in olive oil with garlic make a great side.
9) Fresh Vegetables - the values change with the season, and everything is only available in large quantities, so make sure you really can use that three pounds of asparagus before you are seduced by the bargain. You'll recognize these brands from your local supermarket. My favorite buys: asparagus, baby carrots, mixed baby greens, and green beans.
10) Fresh seafood - my experience is limited and the results mixed. This week I bought fantastic looking scallops for $10.99 a pound. Unfortunately, they shrank considerably when cooked which indicates they had a lot of water added. I had better luck with the king crab legs. At $9.99 per pound, two legs made a fun addition to a mixed grill. The legs are cooked prior to freezing. They are sold thawed and are easily warmed in the oven or on the grill.
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